With God, call it possible. After all, Jesus came to earth, bringing heavenly possibilities with Him.

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

(Luke 1:37 KJV)

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Recently, I read about Joshua. Like a bold reg flag waving and whipping in the wind, the Israelites’ march around Jericho gathered my attention. Here’s why:

The Lord spoke His promise.

Joshua ran with that promise, leading the Israelites accordingly.

After gathering the promise and instruction, they implimented the process. Because marching for 7 days, once around the city 1 time each for 6 days and 7 times the final day, IS a process. It’s not an instantaneous, click-your-fingers God move.

Amid the process, however, the promise remained.

It simmered all along. And even though that promise came to fruition after a period of time and through a process (work by those trusting God), it came because God was faithful to fulfill His promise.

The part I love most is summed up simply in Joshua 6:27.

“So the LORD was with Joshua,

and his reputation spread throughout the land.”

(Josh. 6:27 NLT)

Joshua’s reputation spread throughout the land. Maybe it sounded like this:

“Did you hear what Joshua did?”

“Look how Joshua serves the Lord.”

“Did you hear how those walls crumbled straight down?!”

“He’s quite the leader, that Joshua.”

But behind the chatter?

The LORD enabled Joshua to commence and complete the tasks. He offered the promise; He brought victory.

The stellar leadership? It happened because of the LORD.

The promise rose because of the LORD.

The walls crumbled because of the LORD.

The “new” Joshua and Israel experienced? It came straight from Above.

Truly, it’s all about the Lord.

And your life is about Him, too.

It’s a new year. You might be looking for a “new you”, a resolution of the common type. Or, maybe last year proved horrendous and you want something more.

Why not look for transformation from the One whose muscle makes possiblity happen? Make 2019 all about God. Grab His promises and stand solid, friend.

I’m convinced there’s one place to start a new year’s transformation that will transition into a whole life version: in His presence.

Start with this FREE Download

Come into His presence with His word. Sail into the new year with your copy of I AM Enough…, truth and declarations to squelch the voice of “not enough.”

Feelings of inadequacy is the #1 battle my readers face. I’ve face the ugly wrestle, too. But with God we overcome and find a solid stance in freedom. I am a walking testimony of this and desire you to be one, too.

This free, new resource, is located in the Subscriber Library. It’s a sheet of truth, affirmations, and prayers based on the Word of God. Each one listed will help you identify yourself with the solid stance of Jesus Christ–not fleeting feelings, wobbly circumstances, or the inaccurate labels others paste on us.

Not a subscriber? No problem. Simply sign up here. You’ll receive access to this library download as well as many other faith-building printables. (Watch the spam folder, however, as emails land there from time to time.) You’ll also receive weekly updates and “3”, the family connection newsletter. It’s a place where we get a little more personal and share tips like this recent iphone shortcut.

Here are 3 additional New Year, New You suggestions to sit in His presence:

Prayer

Why not simply sit in the quiet with Him? Converse. Listen.

Here’s a prayer I offer regularly, words that somehow usher a heart straight into His presence. God answers every.single.time. Why not begin here for true transformation in 2019?

Lord,

Show me my heart.

God alone knows the struggles and lies hiding in our heart. Why not go to the One who offers true transformation?

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.”

(PS 19:14 WEB)

Once I pray that prayer and wait His answer (which comes in a matter of days sometimes, months other times), then the process begins. God unveils that which defies. It’s like finding Jericho on a map. Then, He gives direction on how to march and watch the walls fall.

In that place, victory waves its flag.

“Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart.” (2 Chron. 6:30b WEB)

Bible Reading Plan

There’s a second place that settles us among the utterances of God Almighty, opportunity He offers in the pages of His Word. One way to dig into these love letters from the Almighty is a Bible Reading Plan like the free ones offered here.

Various versions of the Bible await. I enjoy the NLT, WEB, NIV, MSG, and AMP regularly, and sqeak a few others in from time to time. If you’re looking for a Bible that allows you to read God’s powerful word in one year, try this version:

Memory Verses

A third way? Memorizing scripture. It sets truth solidly within, allowing us to recall truth when evil dangles questions.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join us as we secure truth for the uncertainties deception spins. We’re answering the age-old question:

Who AM I?

Join us here at KristiWoods.net as we memorize scriptures in 2019 securing and reminding us of our identity in Christ. It’s simple. Jump in here and the posts will arrive automatically in your inbox each 1st and 3rd Tuesday, except January’s verses which will post on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday. (Along with emails containing the memory verses, KristiWoods.net subscribers also receive weekly encouragement, access to the Subscriber-Only Library, and “3”, our monthly “Family” newsletter. Yay!)

So there you have it, friend. Grab a hold of Joshua while heading into this year. Let’s stay in the presence of the Almighty–you encouraging me and me you–as we work through those promises and processes. Let’s open our Bible, too, allowing His truth to imprint our heart.

“Mom, when I leave for college, I probably won’t be home until December,” Joel offered. Tears filled my eyes and began spilling south.

With head bowed, my oldest son commented, “Gary says you’ll probably cry when I leave.” He looked up and spotted my teary-eyed self across the room, and with softened eyes, he asked, “Are you crying, Mom?”

I was about to release my little eaglet into this big, bad world. Joel was about to fly. As a parent, it was my duty to release and let him go. But no commandment instructed, “Thou shalt not cry.” And so I cried – right there in the living room.

Suddenly, all the years of preparation seemed slim pickings, lacking in sufficiency. Worry hit the threshing floor. Anxiety stood alongside as partner in crime, insulting my parenting skills and assuring I hadn’t prepared him well.

But worry and anxiety don’t solve spiritual battles. God’s Word assures. And our kids heading off to college are bound to face a foe dismissing the name of Jesus. To assist in this war, we’re wise to grab our faithful gear. One of those tools is prayer.

Maybe you’re a parent like me, watching your eaglet soar for the first time. Or, perhaps you’re an aunt, uncle, friend, or neighbor. Why not bathe the college student in your life with prayer?

Here are 3 scriptures and prayers to boldly grab and use.

Thought Life

Our thought life is a master switch of sorts for our actions. Where it parks proves vital.

New classes, professors, and subject matter await our student. Add on top of that a hearty welcome from dorm life, new faces, new spaces, and roommates. Some of our students compete in athletics, marching band, or are involved with extra curricular activities. Those add weight as well. Oh, and then there’s homesickness.

Thought life is vital.

Father,

Thank you for my student. This life you’ve woven in them is wonderful. During this school year, whether it’s in the dorm adjusting to their roommates, standing on the marching band or athletic field, sitting in a classroom, or staring at their homework, may my student park their thoughts on you. Protect my child against self-harm, failure, depression, and laziness. Surround them with your truth concerning drugs, alcohol, sex, and faith. Close the door on blame, bad-mouthing, judgment, and condemnation. May they consider and cherish, instead, what is true, allowing your perfect love to cast out all fear. May they dwell on all that’s honorable, just, pure, and lovely. May he/she toss aside the bad, clinging to the good – especially when it comes to relationships and their future with you. May virtue and praise echo in their mind and be reflected in their words and actions. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8 WEB

Communication

Communication is key. We often hear those words, don’t we? It’s true, even on campus. Roommates, classmates, teachers, and friends – they all join in the circle of our student’s communication. And don’t forget family back home, band or teammates if applicable, and daily conversations with God.

Lord,

You’ve given my student the ability to communicate, and it is good. May their words be acceptable in your sight. When they attempt to muffle or stuff words out of fear or uncertainty, may they be brave and allow godly communication its opportunity. When they face a tough conversation, I pray they persevere, continuing to trust you. Most importantly, Lord, may my young woman/man communicate with you on a regular basis. I pray they seek you and nourish a desire to hear your voice daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 WEB

Eyes

Consider the views we absorb with our eyes. There are grey skies and colorful rainbows, people, places, and things. Our college students will soak in situations, scenarios, and scenes with their eyes – at times new and more involved than they ever expected. Prayer for their eyes is protection indeed.

Lord,

You have made the eye for your purposes. With wisdom you beautifully knit each one. May my child guard their eyes well. I pray they’ll grab wisdom, allowing it to filter what they choose to see and not see. May understanding lead their focus, causing them to turn from situations formatted by darkness. May they, instead, allow the light of your Word to filter their sight concerning friends, dates, movies, educational content, and any situation in which their eyes are involved. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. Prov. 17:24 WEB

Ever Feel Like a Parenting Fraud?

Sometimes I feel like a fraud. It happened again the other day.

My child found trouble at school. His wrestle with a heart issue surfaced and accountability was deemed necessary.

In the midst of his struggle, I also struggled. I wrestled with feeling like a Christian fraud: I thought you were supposed to be a good Christian mom. If you raised him right, he wouldn’t have these problems. What will others think?

Last week proved to be a whirlwind. But it was the type that tossed with good. Our oldest stepped across the threshold between high school and his adult future, eagerly grasping a diploma of “You did it!”

Joel graduated high school.

I’m not the crying type, but a couple of months ago, a few tears broke rank and tumbled down my cheeks. But last week? Nope. There was pure celebration, sans tears. This kid man has a future. God has him in the palm of His hand and absolutely knows the plans He has for him. In that, I am determined to celebrate.

And so, as mama, my fingers have released and my heart is now beating in cadence with trust – in God alone. Just as He knows Joel’s future, He knows the plans He has for all of our graduates. Are our fingers released, mamas? Dads? Aunts? Uncles? Guardians?

Have we placed more trust in the Lord for the every day comings and goings our our graduates, for the 5 and 10 year plans of our special ones, or have we grasped at trust in ourselves? It’s okay. The One who created our graduate is able to see them all the way to eternity.

And so, as our graduates finish their high school career, mind if we link virtual hands and pray for our graduates?

Father,

They are Yours. You created our graduates. You created them in Your likeness and image. And the work is beyond good – oh so good. Father, may they allow You to surround them with Your love as they head into their adult future. Whether it’s college, the military, a job, or some other future, may they be strong in You and in Your mighty power. May they love You with all their heart, all their strength, all their mind, and all their soul. May no weapon formed against them prevail, but may Your love in them conquer all evil. We won’t be there with them as they make decisions, but You will be. Praise You. That is enough, in You we trust. May they have eyes to see You when tough situations rise, ears that hear You when they’re uncertain the path to take. May they walk in the counsel of Your wisdom as they embark on this next chapter of life. Because of Your love, may their steps be firm. And Lord, may Your light in them shine brightly for the whole world to see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A final note ~

There will be no WORD17 next Monday due to Memorial Day. However, previous WORD17 posts await here. June’s memory verse arrives here on the blog on Monday, June 5.